あばら

Etymology 1
Recorded since at least the early 900s CE. Cognate with verb. Likely also cognate with verb, adverb and adjective , verbs and. Possibly also cognate with adjective.

Pronunciation

 * Pitch accent uncertain.

Adjective

 * 1)   loosely spaced, sparse, with large gaps, wide open
 * 2)   broken down, ruined, wild
 * 3)   not heartfelt, insincere, flippant

Usage notes
Modern dictionaries do not indicate any pitch accent for this term, suggesting that it has fallen out of use as a standalone term. It persists in some compounds.

Etymology 2
Shortened from the longer expression, itself derived from abara above by extension from the sense of with large gaps, as in bones with gaps between in reference to the gaps between the ribs.

Noun

 * 1)  rib, rib cage